The 'Young Football Ferns' are through to the Under 17 Women's Football World Cup semi-finals after beating Japan 1-1 (4-3) in a penalty shoot-out.
Amelia Abbott scored the opening goal for the Ferns in the 17th minute after a well executed move off their own corner.
Japan equalised in the 31st minute thanks to an incredibly unlucky own-goal from Nelson defender Hannah Mackay-Wright.
The scored stayed 1-1 throughout the game before the referee blew the full-time whistle to take the game to penalties.
Goalkeeper Anna Leat was the hero for the Kiwis as she saved the first penalty and then stepped up to score the match winning goal from the spot.
Kelli Brown, Grace Wisnewski and Maya Hahn also scored in the penalty shootout win.
Leat sent the team into the semi-finals where they will face Spain on Thursday at 8am (NZT).
Newshub.
